Guatemala & Belize Discovery: Maya Heritage & Caribbean Shores

Begin your journey with a flight from NEW YORK to Guatemala. On arrival at Guatemala City International Airport, you will be met and transferred to Antigua, approximately 1 hour 30 minutes away.

Surrounded by the highlands and overlooked by dramatic volcanic landscapes, Antigua is renowned for its colourful colonial architecture, cobbled streets and historic character. On arrival, check in to your hotel and enjoy the remainder of the day at leisure.

Overnight in Antigua.

After breakfast, set out on a locally guided walking tour of Antigua, one of Guatemala’s most captivating historic cities. Once the colonial capital of the region, Antigua is known for its cobbled streets, colourful façades and impressive setting beneath the surrounding volcanoes.

Explore the heart of the city, including La Merced Church, Plaza de Armas and the Cathedral, while discovering more about Antigua’s colonial heritage and distinctive architecture.

After the tour, enjoy the remainder of the day at leisure to explore independently, browse local shops or relax in one of the city’s cafés. An optional Guatemalan cooking experience may also be available at an additional cost.

Breakfast included. Overnight in Antigua.

After breakfast, enjoy a full day at leisure in Antigua. Take time to explore the city at your own pace, wander through its colourful streets, browse local handicrafts and markets, or simply relax in one of the cafés and enjoy the atmosphere of this historic city.

Alternatively, choose an optional visit to La Azotea and Hobbitenango at an additional cost. Discover Guatemala’s coffee-growing traditions at La Azotea before continuing to Hobbitenango, set amid the scenic highlands overlooking the surrounding valleys and volcanoes.

In the evening, there may also be an opportunity to enjoy an optional dinner accompanied by traditional marimba music, available at an additional cost.

Breakfast included. Overnight in Antigua.

After breakfast, leave Antigua and journey through the Guatemalan highlands to Chichicastenango, renowned for its colourful market and rich Maya traditions.

On arrival, explore the vibrant Chichicastenango Market, where local traders gather among stalls filled with textiles, handicrafts and traditional produce. Continue to the historic Church of Santo Tomás, an important landmark where Maya traditions and Catholic influences have long existed side by side.

Afterwards, continue through the highlands towards spectacular Lake Atitlán. Arrive in Panajachel, enjoy an orientation of the town and take in your first views of the lake and its dramatic volcanic surroundings before transferring to your hotel.

Breakfast included. Overnight at Lake Atitlán.

After breakfast, enjoy a full day at leisure at Lake Atitlán, surrounded by spectacular volcanic scenery and traditional Maya communities. Spend the day relaxing in Panajachel, browsing local markets or exploring independently at your own pace.

Alternatively, join an optional boat journey across Lake Atitlán to discover three of its lakeside villages. Visit San Juan, San Pedro and San Pablo La Laguna with a local guide, with opportunities to learn about traditional crafts and local life, including visits to chocolate and textile cooperatives.

Return to Panajachel and enjoy the remainder of the day at leisure.

Breakfast included. Overnight at Lake Atitlán.

After breakfast, enjoy a leisurely morning at Lake Atitlán, with time to relax and take in the beautiful lake and surrounding volcanic scenery.

For those looking for a little more adventure, an optional visit to the Atitlán Nature Reserve may be available at an additional cost, with opportunities to experience its forest trails, waterfalls and zip-line circuits.

Later, leave the highlands behind and travel to Guatemala City, a journey of approximately three hours. On arrival, transfer to your hotel and enjoy the remainder of the day at leisure.

Breakfast included. Overnight in Guatemala City.

After breakfast, transfer to the airport for your domestic flight to Flores. On arrival, continue by road towards Tikal, one of the most remarkable archaeological sites of the ancient Maya world and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Set amid the tropical rainforest, explore Tikal on a locally guided tour, discovering its impressive temples, ceremonial plazas and ancient structures. Highlights include the magnificent Temple of the Great Jaguar, the Temple of the Masks and the fascinating Lost World complex.

After your visit, enjoy lunch before travelling back to Flores. On arrival, transfer to your hotel and enjoy the evening at leisure.

Breakfast and lunch included. Overnight in Flores.

After breakfast, enjoy a full day at leisure in Flores. Explore the colourful streets and relaxed atmosphere of this charming island town, set on the shores of Lake Petén Itzá, or simply spend the day at your own pace.

Alternatively, join an optional full-day excursion to Yaxhá, an impressive Maya archaeological site surrounded by tropical forest. Discover its ancient temples, plazas and ceremonial structures while learning more about the history of this fascinating Maya city.

Return to Flores following the excursion and enjoy the evening at leisure.

Breakfast included. Overnight in Flores.

After breakfast, leave Flores and travel towards the Guatemala–Belize border. Following border formalities, continue your journey through Belize towards the coast.

From the ferry terminal, board a boat for the journey across the Caribbean waters to San Pedro on Ambergris Caye, Belize’s largest island and a wonderfully relaxed setting for the final part of your holiday.

On arrival, transfer to your hotel and enjoy the remainder of the day at leisure. Settle into the laid-back island atmosphere, relax by the coast or begin exploring San Pedro at your own pace.

Breakfast included. Overnight on Ambergris Caye.

After breakfast, enjoy a full day at leisure on Ambergris Caye. With its relaxed Caribbean atmosphere and tropical surroundings, today is yours to enjoy entirely at your own pace.

Spend time relaxing by the coast, explore the colourful streets and local character of San Pedro, or sample some of the island’s Caribbean flavours. Those wishing to explore further can choose from a variety of locally available activities and excursions at an additional cost.

Enjoy the remainder of the day at leisure and another relaxing evening on the island.

Breakfast included. Overnight on Ambergris Caye.

After breakfast, enjoy another full day at leisure on Ambergris Caye, giving you plenty of time to relax and make the most of this Caribbean island setting.

For those wishing to explore beneath the water, the renowned Hol Chan Marine Reserve lies just off the coast and can be visited on an optional excursion at an additional cost. Its coral reefs and clear waters are home to a colourful variety of tropical marine life.

Alternatively, simply relax by the coast, enjoy the facilities at your hotel or spend more time discovering San Pedro independently.

Breakfast included. Overnight on Ambergris Caye.

After breakfast, enjoy your final moments on Ambergris Caye before transferring to the ferry terminal. Board the ferry for the journey across the Caribbean to the mainland, followed by a road transfer to Belize International Airport.

Arrive at the airport for your return flight to NEW YORK, bringing your journey through Guatemala and Belize to a close.

Breakfast included. Overnight flight to NEW YORK.